Meeting the Miracles in Salt Lake City

Customers and associates at a Salt Lake City Walmart recently had a unique opportunity to meet some Miracle Kids virtually and in person.

The Salt Lake City Walmart recently hosted the country’s first “Meet the Miracles” event. The event is designed to give people an experience with kids treated at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through augmented reality technology. The event kicked off with brief remarks from Walmart store manager Steve Lovin, Salt Lake City Councilman Derek Kitchen Rep. Angela Romero from the Utah House of Representatives. The special treat for all in attendance was the opportunity to hear from Primary Children’s Hospital patient Nellie and her mother Sarah. The two talked about Nellie’s battle with a rare condition called Dense Deposit disease.

Nellie used to visit Primary Children’s Hospital three days a week for dialysis, but thanks to the specialist at Primary Children’s, Sarah is able to administer treatments at home, allowing Nellie to return to school and enjoy life as a child. Now, Nellie visits the hospital every other week for shots and blood work.

“The hospital gave us our life back. The staff really knows how to help these kids feel good when they’re under hard situations,” said Sarah.

The “Meet the Miracles” augmented-reality experience is now open at the Salt Lake City Walmart store. Shoppers can follow giant footsteps through the store to a life-size cut out of kids from across the country being treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Through the virtual-reality app Zappar, customers can hear the stories of children like Jakiah, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four, but is now living cancer-free. You can help kids live better by donating at your Walmart or Sam’s Club by Sept. 30.